Mars......where probes go to die!

[denishc]

 For those of you who haven't heard NASA is not getting data back from the rover they have on the surface of Mars.  NASA does receive a "signal" from the rover but the data is unintelligible.  NASA techs think its a software problem (yea, a 'little green man' sotware problem).  Looks like you can chalk up another one for the "angry red planet"!

[Hagar]

Hope they weren't relying on Windows.

[Craig.]

latest reports i have read say they have gotten more data back from it but it could be days or weeks before they fix it. With its twin ship coming into land tomorow i think, theres still pleanty they can do even if this is a loss. I'd say what they have gotten so far has been amazing.
This is what ya get for using windows to power these things though:)

[RichieB16]

I wonder if this is some design flaw.  The Spirit Rover has a sister (exactly the same I believe) that is scheuduled to land on the other side of Mars sometime soon.  If it's some serious design flaw, the may have 2 useless rovers on the Martian surface soon.

[denishc]

 Don't get me wrong, I'm all for space exploration, but for the money they spent on that thing NASA could have given the cash to me and I could of updated my rig.
 Also I'm not all that keen on that "bounce" landing technique NASA uses.  Even in Mars gravity the landing must still be jaring.

[Rifleman]

Todays press release gives some vague details of the situation at hand........

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/newsroom/pressreleases/20040123b.html

[denishc]

News flash:

 "Huston Police are acccusing 'little green men' of grand thief rover!"

 NASA should have installed a 'low-jack' system on the probe.

[Politically Incorrect]

Seems like at least something there works!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/01/2 ... index.html

[WebbPA]

It seems to be back on line. Apparently Mars is where European probes go to die.

[Paz]

 Should've known.

[Smoke2much]

They should've used ME, it's far more stable LMAO!!!

[Politically Incorrect]

 Should've known.

[ATI_7500]

They should've used ME, it's far more stable LMAO!!!

with windows me,that thing wouldn't even boot up after touchdown...

i'd suggest linux.

[Lethal.Ambition]

Linux or Windows i read on CNN that if it found a problem it would re-write itself so be patient guys. It would be a great loss if NASA lost them but I think they dont build such a thing that cant be fixed in space by itself. Its like me buying a PC without a gurantee, tho I can do it i just think the WHAT IF  and buy the guarantee

WHAT IF our probe stops functioning? Re-write itself.

[Hagar]

I read somewhere that if it's a software problem they should be able to fix that from Earth. Basically a case of rebooting the system & reprogramming if necessary. If it's hardware that's it. Kaput.

Having worked on mechanical components all my life I know from experience that if anything can go wrong - it will. This will inevitably happen at the most inconvenient time & somewhere out in the back of beyond with no spares readily available & nobody to hand with the tools or ablility to fit them.